The day of their departure came upon them far too quickly. None of them were ready to leave what had so easily become their new home. They were down to days, preparations for their journey almost complete.
"I'm not ready. I don't—I don't wanna leave." Kid said anxiously as Law licked his face.
"I'm not ready either." Law said with a purr as he rubbed their cheeks together. "But we have to be supportive for Tou-san."
Kid whined and buried his face in Law's chest. Law began to purr even louder and started to groom his hair instead.
A thwack had them looking up just in time to see Penguin's fist slam into Nekomamushi's chest, sending him stumbling back. They started cheering for the little bird and he continued his assault with vigor.
Five minutes later he was pinned, but the grin never left his face.
"I knocked you back with one punch. You promised I could pet you."
Nekomamushi laughed and lifted him up to his face. Everyone was amused when Penguin had him on his back and purring up a storm in no time.
They were really going to miss it here.
-f-f-f-DP-f-f-f-
They loaded the last of the provisions for the long journey to Dressrosa as Momo handed Law a Den Den Mushi. "You boys keep in touch. I expect a call every week."
Law tucked the snail under his hat and hugged her tightly. "I promise, Okaa-ya!"
"We'll find a photo Den Den and send pictures!" Kid promised as he hugged her next.
"And we'll send letters too because we can." Killer said quietly as he was pulled into an embrace. He wasn't as big on affection as the other three and the two captains had a bet going on about when he'd start fighting hugs at all.
"Oh, I'll look forward to them! Be safe, I love all of you!" She said warmly.
Penguin was the only one that didn't blush or look away as he responded in kind.
"—and we can visit at least once a year, I'll have vacation time." Corazon was telling Baki as the duo exited the ship.
"Sounds like a plan. We can celebrate everyone's birthdays with one giant party—Law-chan's used to us ignoring that particular thing."
"It's my religion, not yours. It'sfine." Law said in exasperation. "This is why I don't talk about it."
Baki licked Law's cheek and chuckled when he went to go hide behind Momo. "Anyway, everything's ready to go. You all finish your goodbyes?"
"Yup." Penguin replied cheerfully before he was launching himself at the Mink. "We'll miss you, Hiijiji-san!"
Smiling, Baki licked his cheek and nuzzled him. "We'll miss you boys too. Take good care of Roci, okay?"
"Oi." Corazon protested.
"Always!" The other four said firmly.
After a few more minutes of Law telling his little sister goodbye, they boarded the ship and waved goodbye to the trio on the dock as Corazon took them out to sea.
Zunisha let out a trumpeting sound in farewell and Law smiled happily. She'd look after the tribe.
"Get over here, Trafalgar! I wanna nap!" Kid called and Law rolled his eyes before heading over. His reluctance was an act—he loved being their pillow as much as they liked using him as one. Penguin immediately curled up with his head pillowed on Law's shoulder as Kid and Killer rested their heads on his soft stomach. They had to get back into a daytime schedule, but for now, they could nap.
-f-f-f-DP-f-f-f-
"So where are we gonna be stationed, Tou-san?" Law asked as he curled up on the man's lap, Kid taking his turn at the wheel. Penguin and Killer were in the crow's nest, keeping their eyes peeled for trouble.
And probably cuddling by the low pitch to their voices. Law glared at the awning covering the navigation deck.
"A town in the East Blue called Cocoyashi." The man replied. "A friend of mine will be setting us up. Please wait at least a month before doing anything life-threatening."
Law purred loudly at that and snuggled against his chest. "No promises, but I'll try."
"That's the best you'll get." Kid scoffed in amusement and Corazon nodded in resignation.
They settled back into their training schedules easily enough and Law began to practice sensing ocean dwellers with his powers (almost like sonar) but the feeling of the sea kept putting him to sleep. Usually one of the others would wake him up relatively quickly and he'd try again, but it was still a tedious weakness.
At least he didn't have any trouble falling asleep at night because of it, but awake or asleep, the two-week voyage to Dressrosa passed far quicker than any of them expected.
"Are we going to visit Yuki-chan, Sencho?" Penguin asked.
"She probably won't recognize me," He replied as they disembarked. "But yeah. We promised, didn't we?"
"While you boys do that, I'll start stocking up on supplies." Corazon said. "If I'm done by noon, let's meet for lunch at the Starborn Café."
"But Ojii-san, she'll wanna see you too!" Penguin protested.
"Yeah, we can restock after lunch!" Kid sided with him. "Come on!"
After a moment's hesitation, the man chuckled and gave in. "Oh alright."
Cheering, Penguin and Kid each grabbed one of his hands and dragged him forward.
"Watch your feet!" Law called after them as he and Killer followed at a more sedate pace.
"Too late." Killer chuckled as all three fell. The boys just giggled and resumed dragging the amused man to his feet before continuing to run.
-f-f-f-f-
"Law-nii-chan!" Yuki yelled and immediately threw herself at Law's legs.
Law was honestly surprised. "You recognize me?"
"Yes! I missed you! And Kid-nii-chan and Killer-nii-chan and Pengy-nii-chan!" She cried happily before looking around. "Where's Birdy-oji-chan, Cora-oji-chan?"
The kids giggled at Sengoku's nickname while Corazon chuckled. "He had to go back to work, but he says hello."
"I didn't know you were a girl." Yuki's mother noted as they sat down for tea.
"Why are you all furry?" The dad asked only to get an elbow in the ribs from the mother.
Law smiled in amusement as his brothers snickered. "A lot of people don't notice. Before puberty, gender can be very confusing. As for the fur...I was very sick."
That made the other's stop laughing.
"Oh, you poor dear. I'm so sorry." The mother began fawning over him, buying the half-lie and the potential crisis was averted.
